Geometric Patterns
of the Alhambra,
Granada, Spain April 2026
Explore the Geometry
of the Alhambra
Enjoy a week in Granada, Spain to create, revel, relax and connect with others on a journey into the art of the Alhambra.
20-24 April 2026
Join us for a wonderfully intriguing week of drawing and painting the geometry and patterns of the Alhambra using traditional tools. Spectacular art, incredible food and meditative relaxation in the magical city of Granada.
Explore beautiful patterns whilst recreating them in our studio with traditional tools of a ruler and compass. Learn the history of this incredible art, tour the stunning world heritage Alhambra, explore the ancient streets of the Albaicin and wander through this enchanting city.
This course encompasses a range of patterns from the Alhambra created by Moorish Artisanal masters between the 7th to the 14th Century and is designed to delve deeper into the elements that make the Alhambra one of the greatest examples of Islamic art in the world. This course is created for those wishing to understand, draw and paint the art of geometric pattern.
This course is perfect for explorers of pattern, beginners and seasoned artists alike. You will take home a collection of amazing traditional art descended from an artform with an incredibly rich cultural heritage.
Places are limited. Sign up now
Granada & The Alhambra
Granada is one of those cities not soon forgotten. A city of history, music, food, art, dance, colour and vibrancy. Those who visit are easily charmed by its sense of timelessness and it is blessed with numerous grand old buildings, winding alleyways, small bars and welcoming restaurants. Living here and having the chance to share its delights is so wonderful as Granada is an unrushed place, with enough quirky character to satisfy the soul of any traveler, whilst somehow also managing to be easy to wander around. Safe and welcoming, it will soon have you feeling like it’s your place, just as much as we feel it is ours.
Granada is home to the world heritage listed Alhambra. The Alhambra has no equal, no equivalent, no comparable site in all of the world. As a representative of Islamic art, it is overwhelming in its intricacy, beauty and size. It is the number one tourist destination in all of Spain and a place where lovers of geometry and art come to marvel. The Alhambra is why our studio is based in Granada and as part of our workshop we are excited to take you personally through it, helping you to understand how it was constructed, how the designs work and show you how to recreate them yourself.
The Studio
Our studio is our second home and we love it. It is set up for teaching so that you will have a good view of proceedings at all times, plenty of space to work in and all the support you will need no matter what your level or experience. The studio is also a comfortable and cosy place to meet, sit, relax and chat.
The studio is in Realejo which is in the very heart of Granada. You can easily walk to a range of restaurants, bars, shops and quiet little plazas. It is a lovely and safe place to explore.
Realejo is one of the oldest parts of Granada with a very neighbourhood feel. Our studio is located next to a quiet cobbled square planted with orange trees and well served by three different restaurants and at the other end of our short street there are even more! It is a pedestrian neighbourhood with very few cars, tranquil and calm, yet only a five minute walk to Plaza Nueva and the Albaicin, the Cathedral de Isabella Catolica or Calle de los Tristes beneath the Alhambra. To walk around this part of Granada is to feel transported back in time, a place of substance and history that is incredibly beautiful.
Schedule
Sunday evening
Casual drink and tapas for early arrivals (optional).
Monday - Friday 10am-6pm
Drawing and Painting Alhambran patterns, with lunch included
Each day begins in our studio examining and drawing a specific pattern, chosen from the Alhambra for its unique qualities. We break for morning and afternoon tea as well as for lunch each day. Afternoons are filled with more drawing and painting.
In the middle of our week we will take a guided tour of the Alhambra with Kate accompanying us so that we can benefit from a discussion of the details and methods used in the construction. After our visit you will have some free time to explore Granada.
We end the week with a wonderful celebratory dinner together, a chance to reminisce with fellow artists about the fantastic week together.
Additional excursions are available on request. We are proud of Granada, famed for its old world beauty, traditional art, tapas, flamenco, food, and luxurious hammam baths. We have selected the very best to help you have a full experience while you are here.
What is included
The Alhambra
A visit to the magnificent Alhambra, including a specialist tour.Drawing and painting
Guided sessions throughout the week.Materials
All materials for the course, and the undivided attention of Kate and Mark during the week.Beverages and Snacks
Beverages and snacks for morning and afternoon tea (homemade cakes!) and lunch during the workshop day. This is all part of the experience as we would like to make sure you have all the energy you will need for creating beautiful patterns.Lunch
Lunch is about joy and chats, getting to know each other, and those little questions and queries we haven't had a chance to dip into. We put just as much effort into finding great places to eat as we do into choosing great patterns to draw and paint. The lunches are at some of our favourite restaurants around the neighbourhood. In Spain we like to make lunch an occasion, and of course we are happy to help with any dietary requirements.Farewell Dinner
Dinner together on the last evening of the workshop.
Materials
All the materials, equipment, joy and creativity are supplied for this unforgettable week. Students are welcome to bring their own beloved compasses, paints and rulers (we have our own and couldn’t bear to part with them!)
Optional- Along with any of your beloved tools or paints, we would recommend bringing your own A3 sized sketchbook/watercolour pad (heavy weight paper 250gsm upwards is recommended). We should also say that a notebook would be a perfect companion, to take down the little things, make brief sketches of the patterns we discover or record memories of our guided tour. We create worksheets for every pattern we do so you can recreate them at home, but having your own insights to go with the worksheets can be invaluable.
Teachers
Our classes are led by Kate Henry and Mark Ewing who began studying Geometric design in 2014 whilst living in Bangladesh. What began with one fun and interesting class became a fervent passion that has led to fifteen years of study. We lived in Dhaka, Bangladesh for two years and soaked up every scrap of knowledge we could from the fantastic master mentor Tasleema Alam before moving to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, also home to so much incredible Islamic design. With so many more things to learn. Kate Henry has studied extensively for many years in Dhaka, Sydney, Tashkent, London, and Granada, Spain.
Both Kate and Mark are qualified teachers with years of teaching experience behind them. They are patient and clear with their instruction and always aim for the best experience for their students. All lessons are given in English, with supplementary notes and diagrams for you to take home from each class
What is not included
Flights
Your flights are not included so please make your own bookings. The nearest airports are Granada and Malaga airports and from there there is public transport into the city of Granada.Airport transfers
To make your trip as simple and easy as possible we are able to arrange airport transfers from either airport. We can discuss this when you book and give prices specific to your needs upon request.
Accommodation
We have a few recommendations for places to stay that we think you will like. Places in easy walking distance to our studio, with beautiful, modern rooms, that are as warm and welcoming as we are. You will feel calm and relaxed, perfectly rested and yet right in the heart of Granada, with easy access to restaurants, bars and shopping. We are happy to send you the list of recommendations upon enrolment.Evening meals
Evening meals and lunch on the Alhambra day are not included. We like to give you some free time to explore Granada. Of course we are happy to suggest places to eat and can arrange bookings if necessary. Dinner on Friday evening is included as part of the week’s activities.
Pricing
€800 per person. Half deposit required on booking.
Places are limited! Sign up now!
Payment can be made via our Paypal link or contact us to arrange a bank transfer.
You must pay 50% deposit to reserve your place, with the remaining balance due before 20th March, 2026. The deposit is non-refundable, but if notice is given before 15 February it is able to be transferred to another course.
